Endotracheal intubating stylet



March 1, 1949.- c, w. c l E ENDOTRACHEAL INTUBATING STYLET Filed Nov.24, 1947 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Mar. 1,1949

UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a stylet adapted for use with anendotraoheal tube or catheter to facilitate insertion of the latter intothe trachea.

As endotracheal tubes or catheters are usually made of soft flexiblerubber or the like, it is very difficult to direct the, same between thevocal chords. In order to effectively overcome this difficulty, Iprovide an improved stylet adapted to be inserted in the tube to stiffenit and to anteriorly curve and distend its distal end into a laterallyflattened cross sectional form substantially resembling the shape of thelaryngeal opening. When the tube is thus conditioned, intubation may beaccomplished with facility and speed.

To facilitate manipulation of the device during intubation and to fixthe tube in proper relation to the stylet regardless of the length ofthe tube,

the stylet includes a relatively long stiff wire or rod having anelongated handle slidably adjustable on its proximal portion. The distalend of the handle is reduced to make a close sliding fit within theproximal end of the tube or within the usual coupling member which maybe provided on the proximal end of the tube for use in connecting it tothe control valve of apparatus used to supply oxygen or other gas to thelungs through the inserted tube. The distal portion of the wire or rodis gradually curved anteriorly and is composed of forwardly divergingspring arms adapted to distend antero-posteriorly and flatten laterallythe corresponding portion of the tube.

The exact nature of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is side elevational view, partly broken away, of a styletconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section, partly broken away, of thestylet of Figure 1 operatively associated with an endotracheal tube orcatheter.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

The present stylet is adapted for use in connection with a conventionalendotracheal tube or catheter 5 which has a port 6 through the distalend thereof, and which is shown as provided at its proximal end with theusual coupling member I for use in connecting the tube or catheter tothe control valve of apparatus commonly used to supply oxygen or othergas to the lungs through the tube when the latter is inserted into thetrachea. This tube orcatheter is made of soft flexible rubber or thelike, so that without a stylet it is difficult to direct the samebetween the vocal chords.

In order to facilitate insertion of the tube or catheter, I haveprovided an improved stylet which includes a relatively long stiff wireor rod t, the major portion of which is straight, and the remainingdistal portion 9 of which is gradually curved anteriorly. The rod 8 issomewhat longer than the longest type of endotracheal tube, and thedistal end portion thereof is composed of a pair of forwardly divergingspring arms lil having inturned free forward ends H. The arms it arenormally tensioned to spring apart in such relation that they willflatten the distal portion of the tube 5 when disposed within the sameas shown in Figure 2, thereby giving this portion of the tube a crosssectional form substantially resembling the shape of the laryngealopening. The stylet further includes an elongated handle [2 having anaxial bore 53 through which the rod 8 slidably extends. Thus, the handlei2 is slidably adjustable on the proximal portion of the rod 8, and itis provided with a set screw M which may be tightened into engagementwith the rod 8 to secure the handle in adjusted position. As seen inFigure 4, the rod 8 is flattened at one side so that when it is impingedby the set screw M, relative rotation of the rod 8 and handle I2 isprevented. It will be seen that the distal end of handle i2 is reducedto provide a cylindrical portion l5 adapted to make a close sliding fitwithin the coupling member I and thereby effectively connect theproximal end of the tube with the handle so that they will not freelyturn relative to each other. The reduced end portion i5 is provided witha tapered extension it which gradually reduces in diameter forwardly andacts to guide the coupling member 1 or the end of a tube not providedwith such a coupling, onto the reduced end portion l5.

In using the present stylet, the parts thereof are lubricated tofacilitate insertion of the same into the tube 5. Such insertion iscarried out so that the distal ends I l of the arms It are located aslight distance inwardly of the open distal end of the tube 5 as shownin Figure 2. The handle [2 is then slid forwardly on rod 8 so as toenter the reduced portion l5 of the handle within the coupling l asshown. The set screw [4 is then tightened so as to secure the handle inthis properly adjusted position, and it will be apparent that the degreeof adjustment of the handle l2 which is necessary will depend upon theparticular length of the tube 5 being employed. In Figure 3 the mannerin which the arms distend and flatten the distal portion of the tube 5will be apparent. After externally lubricating the tube 5, the assemblyof Figure 2 will be held in one hand by grasping the handle I2 in amanner similar to that in. which an ordinary pencil is held whilewriting. The tube 5,, thus conditioned, may then be readily insertedinto the trachea, no difficulty being experienced in directing the tubebetween the vocal chords. When intubation has been properlyaccomplished, the stylet is withdrawn from the tube, and the latter maythen be coupled to the associated apparatus for supplying oxygen orother gas to the lungs through the inserted tube.

It will be understood that changes in the details herein described andillustrated may be made by tthose skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

:bored handle slidably adjustable on the proximal portion of said rodand' having a reduced distal portion adapted to make a close sliding fitWithin the proximal end of the tube, the distal portion of the rod beingcomposed of a pair of forwardly diverging spring arms tensioned tospring apart REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file --of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Wappler, May 24, 1938 .Kleine July ,4,1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Number Country flDate France Jan=. 18, 1906France -LNOVQ 4, 1913 France -"Jan. 27',' 1921 OTHER REFERENCES Page 42of Catalogue Catheters,=by- Anode, published in 1938 by :AmericanCystoscope Makers, 450-Whitlock Avenue, New' i lork city, New York.

